Baby Basics of the Peninsula

Mission 

Baby Basics of the Peninsula is a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides and distributes diapers to working-poor families with babies from birth to age three living in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, CA.  We are the only local program providing diapers to working poor parents on a consistent basis.  

Baby Basics recognizes that diapers are a constant and expensive healthcare necessity.  By providing a consistent and reliable supply of free diapers twice monthly, we help ensure that the need for this healthcare essential is met. 

Beyond just being a diaper distribution program, Baby Basics also offers our client families, who do not receive government cash assistance or subsidies, a supportive safety net from welfare and a connection to a caring community.

Who We Serve 

Baby Basics was formed to provide direct support to an often overlooked and underserved population in our community:  working-poor families.  Our client families maintain regular employment and do not receive welfare.  However, despite their incomes, these families remain in relative poverty due to low pay levels and extremely high local living expenses. 

If one person is working, why does the family need our assistance?

Our clients' average annual household income was approximately $25,300 this past year.  In San Mateo county, the cost of living is among the highest in the nation.  Even with a working household member, it is nearly impossible for a low-income family to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. 

Our program saves each client family approximately $600 per year, per baby, in diaper costs.  This is a tremendous savings for hardworking families at a very critical time.

All-Volunteer Structure

Baby Basics is proud to be an entirely volunteer organization. Our working board manages all aspects of our organization.  We have no paid staff members, allowing us to use 100% of Baby Basics' operating budget to purchase diapers for the babies enrolled in our program - every donated dollar goes to diapers.

Baby Basics also uses donated space for diaper storage and distribution.  This no-overhead approach enables us to use our resources exclusively for our simple mission. 

Did you know?

• Parents spend approximately $600 per year to keep a baby in diapers.
• Diapers are a basic healthcare necessity that is not subsidized.
• Low-income parents cannot take advantage of free or subsidized childcare if they cannot afford to leave the required amount of diapers at the childcare center.

Our Board

Kim L. Crockett

Hanna C. George

Katie Marron

Karen M. Willis

Want to learn more about Baby Basics?

Our History